Ry Andella - Schooling For Social Justice

The first piece of this class that will stick with me is Alan Johnston’s , Privilege, Power and Difference.  This article will stick with me because of how it describes the separation in our country because of ethnicity, and privilege. This article does a good job connecting certain inequalities with different ethnic groups, and it’s unapologetic about what those with power will think. One specific thing that I will get out of this reading is not to “sugar coat” hard topics. Naming things like sexism and racism is needed for fostering meaningful discussions and addressing the root causes of societal troubles. The second topic from that will stick with me through my teaching years is from Lisa Delpit’s  The Silenced Dialogue.  There is multiple parts of this article that will stick with me, like the 5 Aspects of Power and her ideas on “alienation”. But the overarching quote that I’ve chosen is “To provide schooling for everyone’s children that reflects liberal, middle-clas...

"I think I am the only kid like this." Queer and Gender Non-conforming Kids rarely can find a support, as a kid, or network to find other kids like them. This adds to the taboo feeling as you can always feel like the only one with no community like you. This could also lead to a search for community in bad places. I remember as a kid feeling alone. I went onto chat rooms and tried to find others , but by doing this, I put myself into a lot of unsafe situations. "We need to share our kids to the world." Some parents and adults can't think of a world where kids can be just as expressive as they want in whatever way. So by showing the kids of Camp I Am, they can see how it is possible and not scary at all. "Liberation, a world where kids can express themselves, free of judgment." Unfortunately I do not feel like this sort of liberation will ever happen nationwide, but finding communities and safe spaces for this feeling goes a long way. "Judgement fr...

In the article Eliminating Ableism in Education, Thomas Hehir discusses how ableism shapes the education system, making it harder for disabled students to succeed. Schools often focus on "fixing" students rather than creating an inclusive environment that accommodates different needs. This mindset can make it difficult for students with disabilities to feel accepted and supported. Instead of recognizing the strengths of diverse learners, the system tends to push everyone toward the same mold, which can be isolating for those who experience the world differently. This strongly resonates with my experience as an autistic student who has learned to "pass" as neurotypical in a high school classroom. Unlike students who receive accommodations for their disabilities, I have often had to navigate an environment that wasn’t designed for me without any visible support. This is the exact opposite of the type of classroom I've had at my previous schools. Because of this, I...

Language is more than just a way to communicate, it’s a part of who we are. In his chapter,  Aria , Richard Rodriguez describes how learning English changed his life, both for better and worse. Growing up in a Spanish-speaking household, he saw his native language as something private and deeply connected to his family. But at school, English was the language of power and success. His teachers made it clear that if he wanted to belong, he had to speak it confidently. Over time, he adapted, but that process came with an "unexpected" cost. At first, Rodriguez struggled to see English as his own. He felt like it belonged to the world outside his home, while Spanish was something that tied him to his family. His teachers pushed him to speak up, and he resisted, unsure if fully embracing English would change who he was. He no longer had the same deep connection with his parents, and home started to feel quieter, less like the comforting place it had once been. He became more confi...

School should be a place where kids are excited to learn, but most classrooms feel too strict and controlled. Alfie Kohn, in his article "What to Look for in a Classroom," argues that education should focus more on curiosity rather than strict obedience. He believes that instead of making students sit quietly and follow orders, schools should encourage discussions, group projects, and hands-on learning. When students have choices in how they learn, they actually understand and remember the material better. Kohn also talks about how traditional classrooms are set up to make teachers the ones in charge of everything. The problem with that is it stops students from thinking for themselves. If kids were allowed to move around, work together, and ask more questions, they would be more engaged in learning. A good classroom isn’t just about keeping everything organized, it’s about creating an environment where students feel comfortable exploring new ideas. In the end, schools need ...

Schools today still have a lot of rules and restrictions, just like the article talks about. Security has gotten even stricter, with cameras, metal detectors, and even police officers on campus. While these are meant to keep students safe, they also make schools feel like places of control instead of learning. On top of that, schools monitor students online, sometimes even outside of school, which takes away privacy. Instead of encouraging curiosity and independence, schools often focus on making sure students follow rules without questioning them. Discipline is another big issue, especially for students of color who are punished more harshly than their white classmates. Even though people talk about fixing the school to prison pipeline, suspensions and expulsions still happen way too often. Schools also rely heavily on standardized testing, which makes learning feel more about memorization than creativity. A lot of schools have even cut down on recess and arts programs just to make m...